Comment from Chief
Judge Cameron BennettThese 10 Kiwis are our
voices of conscience, courage and commitment. They don’t
just speak truth to power – they put their words into
action and make a truly positive difference for all New
Zealanders.

While one of these 10 people will ultimately
be named Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year for 2018, each
is already a very special Kiwi in their own right.

BackgroundThe annual New Zealander
of the Year awards are in their ninth year. They celebrate
people who use their passion for New Zealand to make our
country a better place. They are open to all New Zealanders
to honour extraordinary Kiwis whose selflessness,
creativity, and vision make us proud to call New Zealand
home.

1,118 nominations were received for the title of
2018 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year.

In January, the
judging panel – comprising representatives of all the
awards patrons, presenters, sponsors, community leaders and
independent experts – will announce the final shortlist of
the three Kiwis being considered for the 2018 Kiwibank New
Zealander of the Year title and the other category
finalists.The winner will be announced at the New
Zealander of the Year Awards Gala in Auckland on Thursday
night, February 22, 2018.

Other categoriesThe
2018 New Zealander of the Year Awards also honour New
Zealanders who have performed with distinction in five other
award categories. The semifinalists for these categories
are:University of Auckland Young New Zealander
of the Year• Peter Burling
(Tauranga)• David Cameron (Auckland)• Kristina
Cavit (Auckland)• Tom Francis (Hawke’s
Bay• Alexander Kuch (Auckland)• Lizzie Marvelly
(Auckland)• Grace Stratton (Auckland)• Josiah
Tualamali’i (Christchurch)• Rees Vinsen
(Auckland)• Logan Williams (Christchurch)

As a Tufts study usefully explained, some of the basic mechanisms of the original TPP (and the CCTPP is not radically different in this respect) would – in practice – contribute to income inequality, by further tilting the existing imbalance between those reliant on profit-taking as a source of income, and those reliant on wages...

Under the original TPP deal, the Tufts team estimated, 5,000 jobs would have been lost across New Zealand. More>>

"The theme of this year's service, 'Keeping their dreams alive" helps us look back at all that we've lost with a sense of hope and aspiration for the future,'' says the Mayor. "It also helps us to recall all those who came to our rescue and those who offered support at our time of need and what that meant to us." More>>

ALSO:

The work programme includes the NCEA review, a review of Tomorrow’s Schools, developing a future-focused Education Workforce Strategy, a continuous focus on raising achievement for Māori and Pasifika learners, an action plan for learning support, an early learning strategic plan, a comprehensive review of school property. More>>